Abstract: A gypsum composition suitable for use in the manufacture of gypsum products is provided. The gypsum composition includes gypsum, water, and a solid dispersant comprising a supported acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer. A method of making a gypsum composition is also provided. The method includes mixing together, in any combination, gypsum, water, and a solid dispersant comprising a supported acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer.

Abstract: An equipment management system provides an equipment support for supporting patient care equipment. The equipment support may be mountable on an arm that extends from a wall, on a column depending from the arm, on a wall mount, on a stand, or on a patient support. Various methods may be used to vertically move the equipment support up and down to engage and disengage the equipment support from supporting devices.

Abstract: Tools and methods for detecting the presence bacteria, yeast and mold in a sample obtained from a food sample are provided. The methods employ a polymerase chain reaction and primer and probe sets that are based on the 16S rRNA and squalene-hopene cyclase genes of Alicyclobacillus and Geobacillus and the 18S rDNA gene of mold and yeast. The present invention also relates to primer and probe sets. Each primer and probe set comprises a forward primer and a reverse primer, both of which are from 15 to 35 nucleotides in length and a probe.

Abstract: A cushion/backrest including an integrated reading lamp tethered at the end of a flexible member is disclosed for providing the user with a source of light for reading or watching television. The cushion may also include built in massage motors for providing the user with a massaging action to the back. Controls for adjusting the massaging action and the reading lamp may be incorporated in an armrest.

Abstract: A method for automatic association of moving target indications from at least one entity traveling along a route. A moving target indicator radar is used to detect a plurality of moving target indication data. The moving target indication data proximate to the identified route is selected and presented in a distance-time graph, such that each selected moving target indication data has a unique distance along route and a unique observation-time value. The selected moving target indication data are then transformed from the distance-time coordinate to a slope-intercept coordinate, such that co-linear moving target indication data in the distance-time coordinate are transformed into a plurality of points superposed together with nearly identical slope values and nearly identical distance intercept value. The superposed points are mapped back to the distance-time coordinate, and the moving target indication data corresponding to the superposed points are thus associated.

Abstract: A gypsum composition suitable for use in the manufacture of gypsum products is provided. The gypsum composition includes gypsum, water, and a solid dispersant comprising a supported acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer. A method of making a gypsum composition is also provided. The method includes mixing together, in any combination, gypsum, water, and a solid dispersant comprising a supported acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer.

Abstract: A semi-rigid waist, posterior, and thigh enclosing garment used as a diaper is worn by an individual unable to control their bodily functions. The seat portion of the garment is compartmentalized to allow for the collection of feces and urine. The garment is preferably elastic around the thighs and waist to allow for a sufficient seal for the containment of waste, waste flushing water, and spray cleaning water. The garment is also preferably primarily made of silicone. The upper portion of the garment has an elongated oval opening leading to a lower, waste-collecting chamber. The waste-collecting chamber holds the waste away from the individual's body. A raised, pliable ring is positioned to both surround the elongated oval opening and ring the rectum and urethra of the wearer. The garment is preferably connected to a portable cleaning unit or is removed from the wearer for cleaning in a separate device.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion suitable for use in the manufacture of pigmented coating compositions is provided. The pigment dispersion comprises a) pigment, b) carrier, and c) an acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer dispersant wherein the polyether portion of the copolymer is free of any acidic groups. A method of making a present dispersion is also provided. The method comprises mixing together, in any combination: a) pigment, b) carrier, and c) an acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer dispersant wherein the polyether portion of the copolymer is free of any acidic groups. A pigmented coating composition is also provided comprising a pigment dispersion made in accordance with present invention.

Abstract: A pet toilet preferably includes a litter chamber with a sculptured end and a tapered end. A mechanism preferably moves the litter chamber to a vertical position to meet a stationary vertical lid for cleaning. When the lid and the litter chamber are together, an airtight seal is created. The sculptured end is at the top of the litter chamber and the tapered end is at the bottom of the litter chamber when the litter chamber is in a vertical position. A blade, found at the lowest point of the tapered end, cuts and agitates the waste collected by gravity at this lowest point. Water, added to the vertical litter chamber through an inlet and holes around the blade, floats the waste to the top of the litter chamber. The sculptured end catches floating waste and directs it out of the pet toilet through an exit pipe.

Abstract: A gypsum composition suitable for use in the manufacture of construction materials is provided. The gypsum composition includes gypsum, water, and a dispersant formulation comprising an acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer. A method of making a gypsum composition is also provided. The method includes mixing together, in any combination, gypsum, water, and a dispersant formulation comprising an acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer. A wallboard is provided including two sheets of board paper, and a gypsum core between the sheets of board paper.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a threat level associated with a collection of detected objects within a geographical area of interest are disclosed. A set of formation templates representative of organizational patterns are defined. Configurations for the templates are defined. Data is collected from objects detected in the area of interest. A density image is generated based on the geographic locations of the detected objects. Sections of the density image that are too sparse to contain a formation are determined and excluded from further analysis. The density image is compared to each of the template configurations. The probability of finding points in each of the template cells for each of the template configurations is determined. The probable formation(s), if any, based on the probability of finding points in each of the template cells for each of the possible configurations of each of the possible templates is determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to film-fibril plexifilamentary sheet products which demonstrate improved balance of toughness and softness combined with improved balance of air permeability and liquid barrier resistance, which are prepared by point bonding a nonwoven sheet on both sides by passing said sheet between embossing rolls at a combination of bonding temperature, pressure and residence time such that the majority of bond points are not bonded to the point of translucency.

Abstract: A gypsum composition suitable for use in the manufacture of construction materials is provided. The gypsum composition includes gypsum, water, and a dispersant formulation comprising an acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer. A method of making a gypsum composition is also provided. The method includes mixing together, in any combination, gypsum, water, and a dispersant formulation comprising an acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer. A wallboard is provided including two sheets of board paper, and a gypsum core between the sheets of board paper.

Abstract: A liquid laundry detergent formulation is described including a surfactant, a polycarboxylate builder and a 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol carrier solvent. A particularly preferred builder comprises a non-hydrophobically modified, acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer, wherein the polyether portion comprises moieties derived from at least two constituents selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide.